Skater Hockey Club
Banbury Bulldogs Youth Team Building Weekend Horley Wood.
We arrived at the camp site about 10.00am on a misty, drizzly none too warm day in November not sure if we were doing the right thing or not, and wondering if anyone would come ?
Thankfully an hour and a half later, all present and correct we set off on the briefing and ice breaker, a bit of a brain teaser and an exercise in communication. A great start from the boys with a bit of talking and thinking out loud they solved the problem in hand, something I’ve seen groups of adults fail at before so that achievement shouldn’t be underestimated.
Outside the weather hadn’t improved much, time for a spot of lunch, then off for a warm up stretch and 2 laps of the field before the first outdoor activity. Sometime later both teams retreated with a couple of bumps and bruises but no real damage and a good competitive game from all involved.
A drink, a warm and a couple of strength competitions did the trick, well done to everyone for the effort now for a spot of American football with the vert ball, after a quick review of the rules and a shaky start the game started to flow, once again the team strategy prevailed….time for another drink and a dry 10 mins.
While preparation for the camp fire and evening meal were being made the boys disappeared for a bit of recon training, with full camouflage face paint, after having a bit of fun trying to find a big bloke hiding in the bushes, harder than you think.
A good while later I was thinking we might have seen the last of the troublemakers when they all arrived back at the lodge, cold, camouflaged and smiling, job done.
Time for showers and the evening meal, BBQ burgers, spuds and salad all round then a few jokes and games by the fire, before retiring to the lodge for an “Ice Hockey Challenge”
Sunday morning arrived, time for a bit of breakfast and a few exercises, then a couple of trips down the zip wire slide then a quick de brief and to tidy up in the warm then time for pick up.
In summary it was a great weekend, some things more popular than others but definitely worth doing again. Thanks to Tony and Chris for the support and most of all to the lads for coming, participating and making the work all worth it.
Thanks.
Chris Birch – Youth Team Manager
